Personal Financial Advisor  What They Do

Advises clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives.

This career is part of the Finance cluster Securities and Investments pathway.


A person in this career:

  • Interviews clients to determine their current income, expenses, insurance coverage, tax status, financial objectives, risk tolerance, or other information needed to develop a financial plan.
  • Answers clients' questions about the purposes and details of financial plans and strategies.
  • Recommends to clients strategies in cash management, insurance coverage, investment planning, or other areas to help them achieve their financial goals.
  • Analyzes financial information obtained from clients to determine strategies for meeting clients' financial objectives.
  • Implements financial planning recommendations or refers clients to someone who can assist them with plan implementation.
  • Reviews clients' accounts and plans regularly to determine whether life changes, economic changes, environmental concerns, or financial performance indicate a need for plan reassessment.
  • Manages client portfolios, keeping client plans up-to-date.
  • Contacts clients periodically to determine any changes in their financial status.
  • Prepares or interprets for clients information such as investment performance reports, financial document summaries, or income projections.
  • Recruits and maintains client bases.

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Personal Financial Advisors

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Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would sit most of the time. There's some walking and standing. You may have to lift and carry things like books, papers or tools weighing 10 lbs. or less.
  • Exposed to hazardous situations involving possible injury such as cuts, bites, stings, and minor burns more than once a month
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

  • Irregular hours

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Account Executive -- Employed by an organization such as a bank, public relations firm, or advertising agency who is responsible for the business of a specific client.
  • Asset Manager -- Oversees assets that are owned, leased and subleased by an organization, working to increase revenue and asset values.
  • Insurance Consultant -- Uses statistics to determine clients' future financial risks and helps them select the best insurance options for their situations.
  • Portfolio Manager -- Ultimately responsible for the performance and the day to day operation of a fund or asset management vehicle.
  • Investments Manager --
  • Securities Consultant --